Evelyn Gillespie

Evelyn D. Gillespie, formerly of Bellefontaine, OH and Palm City, FL died on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at Green Hills Care Center, West Liberty, OH. Born December 6, 1921 in Jefferson Township, Logan County, she was the daughter of the late Paul H. and Helen Vance Dickinson Bersinger. She was a 1940 graduate of Bellefontaine High School. On May 14, 1942, she became the wife of W. Edward Gillespie, who preceded her in death on February 27, 1997.

Surviving are her children, Christine H. (Phill) Bullock of West Liberty, Bowen E. Gillespie, and his fiancé, Betty Andrews, long time friend of Eveyln’s, both of Bellefontaine, and Brian R. (Scott McLaughlin) Gillespie of Dublin. Also surviving are her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Roger Gillespie of N. Palm Beach, FL, Jennifer (John) Shannon of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Courtney (Todd) Lones of Lakeview, and Whitney (Beannie Taylor) Van Horn of Orient and Daytona Beach, FL, Bryce & Brooke Gillespie and Gavin Lones, to whom she was known as “Sweetie”; and nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Virginia B. Rathfelder, and a grandson, Zachary R. Van Horn.

Evelyn was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Bellefontaine where she was a past member of the Board of Trustees. She was a charter member of the Rake and Hoe Garden Club and a former member of Tourist Club and Theta Circle of Kings Daughters. She belonged to a noteworthy bridge club and was a member of the former Bellefontaine Country Club, where in addition to scoring three holes-in-one (in 1960 and two more in 1971), she held the course record of 76 for women and was a past club champion. She shot her fourth hole-in-one at the Monarch Country Club in Palm City, FL in 1993. An avid golfer, well into her 80’s, Evelyn was also a past member, by invitation, of Oswiga (Ohio Senior Women’s Invitational Golf Association).

A consummate hostess, Evelyn loved to entertain family and friends with style and élan. Not much trumped her butterscotch pie or the best fried chicken, homemade with meticulous talent, which she had in spades. Many are the wonderful memories of family and friends gathering at the Gillespie home, at Briarwood, Torch and Clam Lake, MI and in Florida.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 8, 2012 from 4 to 8 at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine. The Reverend Edwin Beale and Gene Marine will conduct services at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church in Bellefontaine with visitation from 10 to 11 prior to the service. Entombment beside her husband will follow in the Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 210 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, OH 43311 or to the Rake and Hoe Garden Club c/o Eichholtz Funeral Home, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, OH 43311.

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